CHAPTER 595: CHAPTER 595 THESE ARE ALL DONE BY THE BRITISH

Antwerp, one kilometer west of the "Buena" fort, a battalion-sized German Army is launching an attack on the British warehouse.

They shouted in German while shooting:

"The warehouse ahead belongs to the British, watch out for the materials!"

"We need those supplies, there’s a lot of gasoline that we desperately need!"

"No shelling, no grenades, aim before you shoot!"

...

Materials are valuable to any army, and Germany, under the blockade of the Allies, is no exception.

Therefore, the German Army adopted a conservative attack strategy, avoiding firing unless absolutely necessary. Even in close combat, they used rifle butts to knock out British soldiers.

The British Army was stunned at once.

The Germans came too quickly; it was as if they suddenly appeared from the ground.

Moreover, there were so many of them, an infantry battalion of five or six hundred men.

In contrast, the British forces consisted only of an infantry company and an engineering company. The infantry company served as guards, and the engineering company was responsible for clearing snow on the roads, maintaining the roads, and moving supplies.

Both companies had already been devastated by German aircraft, losing their combat effectiveness long ago and standing little chance against the superior German forces.

Most importantly, Major Colton, responsible for the warehouse’s defense, was perplexed by Admiral Avis’s orders:

"Protect the safety of the materials? Even if we surrender, we can’t destroy the materials?"

"Does that mean using our bodies to shield the materials?"

"Perhaps even standing in front of the materials wouldn’t work; the warehouse is full of ammunition and gasoline. A few grenades could trigger a chain explosion or an unquenchable fire!"

Seeing aircraft diving down and strafing them from above, Major Colton realized he had only one option.

"Retreat!" Major Colton shouted, "Everyone, evacuate the warehouse!"

The British soldiers retreated hastily under the pursuit of fighter planes, leaving the warehouse, packed with materials, intact for the German Army. Only a few "porters" were captured inside the warehouse as they didn’t escape in time.

However, these "porters" didn’t understand that the German Army seemed reluctant to keep them, disarming them and driving them away with shouts.

The British forces and Major Colton were unaware that the German pilots above were just as surprised to see their comrades below:

"Our troops have advanced so quickly behind enemy lines?"

"And they’ve taken the warehouse! These guys are awesome, well done!"

"Protect them, brothers, don’t let anyone else get close!"

...

Admiral Avis then received a call from Major General Eden: "The warehouse has been taken by the Germans. They were clearly prepared; their planes are strafing everywhere around the warehouse, and no one can get close."

Admiral Avis looked ashen: "No matter the cost, Major General, we must retake the warehouse. You know how crucial those supplies are to us!"

Major General Eden responded, "I understand, Admiral, I’ll do my best!"

...

Dunkirk, British Expeditionary Force Command.

Kitchener, who had just gotten up, was enjoying breakfast in his quarters. He planned to head to the River Somme today.

It was the most crucial battlefield for the expeditionary force; they had to make significant progress to establish their authority and intimidate the colonial army.

However, Haig’s conservatism and stubbornness remained the biggest obstacles. He constantly refused to use tank formations to attack, insisting on infantry and cavalry charges.

"I need to personally command there." Kitchener shook his head gently, cutting off a piece of steak and putting it in his mouth.

At that moment, there was a rush of footsteps outside the door, and then the door was flung open as an aide reported: "Marshal, the Germans have launched an attack."

"An attack?" Kitchener’s eyes lit up: "The River Somme?"

This was good news. Kitchener was worried about breaking through the German defenses of machine guns and trenches, but he hadn’t expected them to counterattack.

"No, Marshal," the aide responded, with a tone of panic: "It’s Antwerp!"

"Antwerp?" Kitchener frowned, not expecting this.

However, he wasn’t concerned, believing the German forces were already tied up at Verdun and the River Somme and had little to attack Antwerp.

But the British Army had deposited a heavy force along the Antwerp front line.

The next second, the aide added: "Our forces were caught off guard and have retreated across the front line!"

Kitchener’s knife and fork clattered onto his plate. He looked up at the aide: "What did you say?"

"Our forces have retreated across the front line," the aide repeated, "The German vanguard has reached the fortress’s defenses and even infiltrated Antwerp, seizing the supply warehouse."

"What? They’ve taken the supply warehouse?"

"Additionally," the aide added, "Our naval supply line was attacked by German submarines, losing 37 transport ships and destroyers, while over a dozen more were captured, their status unknown."

Kitchener stood up abruptly, hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked over to the map on the wall to find the Antwerp front line.

It’s over, Kitchener understood the German intention: They planned to cut off their supplies through a blockade.

And the British forces were precisely at this breaking point, facing the German elite troops!

...

Paris City Hall, Briand had just walked through the door when Clemenceau stopped him.

"Emergency, Mr. Prime Minister," Clemenceau looked panicked, "The Germans are attacking Antwerp, and the British are retreating badly."

"What?" Briand was taken aback, "The Germans shouldn’t have many troops to attack Antwerp."

"Indeed, not much," Clemenceau responded, "only two corps, around ten thousand men, but the British..."

Clemenceau shrugged, his sickle-like mustache twitching, seemingly suggesting that in terms of war, they couldn’t hold many hopes for them.

"We are urgently having a meeting to discuss this matter." Clemenceau gestured toward the House of Representatives.

On the way, Briand couldn’t help but ask: "How bad is it?"

"Very bad," Clemenceau sighed, "The Germans have used submarines to blockade the shipping lines and have also seized the supply warehouse in Antwerp."

Briand stopped abruptly and looked at Clemenceau in shock: "Are you saying all supplies are in German hands?"

Clemenceau turned back, nodded slightly: "I’m afraid so, Mr. Prime Minister."

Briand’s face instantly turned pale.

Not long ago, he had joined the British in blocking Shire’s supplies to weaken their combat capability.

Now, the Germans had seized control of the Antwerp warehouse and all the supplies.

Had he overplayed his hand?

They wanted to weaken Shire, but it had turned into the collapse of the entire front line!

Clemenceau returned to Briand’s side, glanced around, and whispered: "We know nothing, Mr. Prime Minister, all this was done by the British!"